Cabinet welcomes affordable HIV treatment

Friday, September 29, 2017

Cabinet has welcomed the ground-breaking pricing agreement reached by Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi to make available the first affordable single-pill HIV treatment.

Minister Motsoaledi collaborated with a number of international organisations and agencies to reach the breakthrough. The new fixed dose combination will be available to low and middle-income countries (LMICs) at a reduced price of US$75 per person, per year.

South Africa will introduce the new fixed dose combination of three drugs, Tenofovir, Lamivudine and Dolutegravir (TLD), in April 2018. It is projected this new regimen, at the price announced, will save South Africa about R11 billion over the next six years.

“This will enable South Africa to enrol more patients on treatment,” Cabinet said.

The pricing agreement, announced this month, makes the medicine Dolutegravir, which is recommended by the World Health Organisation, more affordable for governments in low and middle-income countries.

Cabinet strongly urged all sexually active South Africans, especially youth, to continue living healthy lifestyles and practising safer sex by abstaining, being faithful and condomising, and regularly testing for HIV.

Developments at Cecilia Makiwane Hospital

Cabinet has also welcomed the unveiling of the new wing of the Cecilia Makiwane Hospital in Mdantsane in East London.

“[This] is a milestone towards the implementation of the National Health Insurance that will result in the provision of quality healthcare, particularly to poor communities.

“This world-class tertiary hospital is an investment to realise the National Development Plan’s vision and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals of universal healthcare.”

The 526-bed hospital is supported by an integrated system that will optimise delivery of quality healthcare. It uses technology to reduce patient waiting times, improve diagnosis and enables quicker health intervention in patients.

“This R1 billion investment infrastructure will support local economic development in the townships.

“As we revitalise public health infrastructure, we are also expanding opportunities for local communities to improve their lives through job creation and local enterprise development.” - SAnews.gov.za